Lecture 5

Static Structural Analysis

14.5 Release

Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical
1 © 2012 ANSYS, Inc. December 19, 2012 Release 14.5
 Chapter Overview
In this chapter, performing linear static structural analyses in Mechanical will be
covered:
A. Basics of Linear Static Analysis
B. Geometry
C. Material Properties
D. Contact
E. Analysis Settings
F. Loads
G. Supports
H. Nodal Loads and Supports
I. Load and Support Display
J. Solving Models
K. Workshop 5.1, Pump Assembly With Contact
L. Results and Postprocessing
M. Workshop 5.2, Using Beam Connections

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 A. Basics of Linear Static Analysis
The schematic setup for a linear static structural analysis is shown here.

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 . . . Basics of Linear Static Analysis
For a linear static structural analysis, the displacements {x} are solved for in
the matrix equation below:

K x  F 
Assumptions:
• [K] is constant
– Linear elastic material behavior is assumed
– Small deflection theory is used
• {F} is statically applied
– No time-varying forces are considered
– No damping effects

It is important to remember these assumptions related to linear static

analysis. Nonlinear static and dynamic analyses are covered in other
training courses.

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 B. Geometry
In structural analyses, all types of bodies supported by Mechanical may be used.

For surface bodies, thickness must be

supplied in the “Details” view of the
“Geometry” branch.

The cross-section and orientation of line bodies are defined within

DesignModeler and are imported into Mechanical automatically.

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 . . . Geometry
• Mechanical allows a part’s stiffness behavior to be defined as “rigid” or
“flexible”.
– A rigid body is not meshed with traditional finite elements. Rather it is represented
using a single mass element and is thus very efficient in terms of solution times.
– Parts in an assembly that are included only to transfer loads can be designated as rigid
to reduce solution times and model sizes.

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 … Point Mass
A Point Mass can be added to a model’s Geometry branch to simulate parts of the
structure not explicitly modeled:
• A point mass can be scoped to surfaces, edges or vertices.
• The location can be defined by either:
– (x, y, z) coordinates (global or local).
– Selecting vertices/edges/surfaces to define location.
• Point mass is affected by “Acceleration,” “Standard Earth Gravity,” and “Rotational
Velocity”. No other loads effect a point mass.

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 C. Material Properties
Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s Ratio are required for
linear static structural analyses:
• Density is required if any inertial loads are present.
• Thermal expansion coefficient is required if a temperature
load is applied.
• Thermal conductivity is NOT required for uniform
temperature conditions.
• Stress Limits are needed if a Stress Tool result is present.
• Fatigue Properties are needed if Fatigue Tool result is
present.
– Requires Fatigue Module add-on license.

• As shown earlier material properties are assigned in the

part details in Mechanical.

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 D. Contact
Surface contact elements in Mechanical can be visualized as a “skin” covering
the surfaces of the parts in an assembly.
It is these elements that define the behavior when parts are in contact (e.g.
friction, bonding, heat transfer, etc.).
In Mechanical contact pairs are color coded as shown here.
Note, contact is covered in more detail in a later chapter.

Contact Side

Target Side

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 … Contact - Spot Weld
Spot welds provide a means of connecting shell assemblies at discrete points:
• Spotweld definition is done in the CAD software. Currently, only DesignModeler and Unigraphics
define supported spot weld definitions.

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 E. Analysis Settings
The “Analysis Settings” details provide general
control over the solution process:
Step Controls:
• Manual and auto time stepping controls.
• Specify the number of steps in an analysis and an end “time”
for each step.
• “Time” is a tracking mechanism in static analyses (discussed
later).

Solver Controls:
• Two solvers available (default program chosen):
– Direct solver (Sparse solver in ANSYS).
– Iterative solver (PCG solver in ANSYS).
• Weak springs:
– Mechanical tries to anticipate under-constrained
models.

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 . . . Analysis Settings
The “Output Controls” section of the analysis settings
configures what items are to be written to the results
file (defaults shown).
Output controls are intended to allow users to write
efficient results files containing only the desired
information thereby limiting file sizes.
The most general results quantities are written by
default.
Be sure to review the documentation before starting an
analysis to make sure the desired results will be
written.

Note: the default configuration for output controls can

be changed in “Tools > Options > Analysis Settings and
Solution”.

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 F. Loads
Loads and supports respond in terms of the degrees of
freedom (DOF) available for the elements used. UY
With solid geometry the DOF are X, Y and Z translations (for
shells and beams we add rotational DOF rotX, rotY and rotZ). UX
Boundary conditions, regardless of actual names, are always
defined in terms of these DOF. UZ

Boundary conditions can be scoped to geometry items or to

nodes (depending on load type).
Example: a “Frictionless Support” applied to the face of the
block shown would indicate that the Z degree of freedom is no
longer free (all other DOF are free).

Frictionless surface

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 … Loads
Loads and supports having a direction
component can be defined in global or local
coordinate systems:
• In the Details view, change “Define By” to
“Components”. Then, select the appropriate CS
from the pull-down menu.

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 … Loads
Acceleration:
• Acts on entire model in length/time2 units.
• Acceleration can be defined by Components or Vector.
• Forces resulting from accelerations act in the opposite direction of the acceleration
(e.g. like being pushed back in the seat when an automobile accelerates forward).

Standard Earth Gravity:

• Choose the direction in which the force of gravity acts.
• Value automatically set to current unit system.
• Gravity direction can be defined in global or local coordinate systems.
Rotational velocity:
• Entire model is assumed to rotate about an axis at a given rate.
• Define by vector or component method.
• Input can be in radians per second (default) or RPM.

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 … Loads
Pressure loading:
• Applied to nodal groups or surfaces, acts normal to the surface.
• Positive value into surface, negative value acts out of surface.
• Units of pressure are in force per area.
Force loading:
• Forces can be applied on nodes, vertices, edges, or surfaces.
• The force will be evenly distributed on all entities. Units are mass*length/time2.
• Force can be defined via vector or component methods.

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 … Loads
Hydrostatic Pressure:
• Applies a linearly varying load to a surface (solid or shell) to
simulate fluid force acting on the structure.
• Fluid may be Internal (contained fluid) or external (submerged
body).
– User specifies:
• Magnitude and direction of acceleration.
• Fluid Density.
• Free surface location of the fluid.
• For Shells, a Top/Bottom face option is provided.

Internal External
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 … Loads
Bearing Load (force):
• Forces are distributed in compression over the
projected area:
– No axial components.
– Use only one bearing load per cylindrical surface.
• If the cylindrical surface is split, select both halves of
cylinder when applying the load.
• Bearing loads can be defined via vector or component
method.

Bearing Load Force Load

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 … Loads
Moment Loading :
• A moment can be applied to a vertex, edge, surface or nodes (named
selection).
• If multiple entities are selected, the moment load is evenly distributed.
• Vector or component method can be employed using the right hand rule.
• Units of moment are in Force*length.

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 … Loads
Remote Force Loading :
• Applies an offset force on a vertex, edge, surface or nodes.
• The user supplies the origin of the force (geometry or coordinates).
• Can be defined using vector or component method.
• Applies an equivalent force and moment on the surface.

• Example: 10 inch beam with a 1 lbf remote force scoped to the end of the
beam. Remote force is located 20 inches from the fixed support.

F=1 lbf

20”
Moment Reaction

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 . . . Loads
Bolt Pretension:
• Applies a pretension load to a solid cylindrical section or beam using:
– Pretension load (force)
– OR
– Adjustment (length)
• For body loading a local coordinate system is required (preload in z direction).
– Face selection assumes axial direction of cylindrical surface.
• For multistep analyses additional options are available (covered later).

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 . . . Loads
Line Pressure loading :
• Applies a distributed force on one edge.
• Units are in force/length.
• Directions can be defined by :
– Vector
– Component direction (global or local coordinate systems)
– Tangential (along line)

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 … Loads
Thermal Condition:  thx   thy   thz   T  Tref 
• Applies a uniform temperature in a
structural analysis.
• A reference temperature must be provided
(can apply to all bodies or individuals).

Reference temperature in Environment (e.g. Reference temperature can be applied to

Static Structural), applies to all bodies individual bodies
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 G. Supports
Fixed Support :
• Constraints all degrees of freedom on vertex, edge, or surface:
– Solid bodies: constrains x, y, and z.
– Surface and line bodies: constrains x, y, z, rotx, roty and rotz.

Displacement:
• Applies displacement on vertex, edge, or surface.
• Allows for imposed translational displacement in x, y, and z (in
user-defined Coordinate System).
• Entering “0” means that the direction is constrained, leaving
the direction blank means the direction is free.

Elastic Support :
• Applies “flexible” frictionless support to a face.
• Foundation stiffness is the pressure required to produce unit
normal deflection of the foundation.

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 … Supports
Frictionless Support:
• Applies constraints (fixes) in the normal direction on surfaces.
• For solid bodies, this support can be used to apply a structural ‘symmetry’ boundary
condition.
• Examples . . . Fixed in radial
direction

Fixed translation
Free translation in out of plane of
plane of support support Free in tangential
and axial
directions

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 … Supports
• Cylindrical Support:
– Provides individual controls (fixed/free) for axial, radial, or tangential
constraints.
– Applied on cylindrical surfaces only.
Radial

Tangential

Example . . .
Axial

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 … Supports
Compression Only Support :
• Applies a constraint in the normal compressive
direction only.
• Can be used on a cylindrical surface to model a pin,
bolt, etc..
• Requires an iterative (nonlinear) solution.

Force

Compression Only
Force

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 … Supports
Simply Supported:
• Can be applied on edge or vertex of surface or line bodies
• Prevents all translations but all rotations are free
Fixed Rotation:
• Can be applied on surface, edge, or vertex of surface or line bodies
• Constrains rotations but translations are free

Translation fixed Translations free

Rotations free Rotations fixed

Simply Supported Edge Fixed Rotation Edge

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 H. Nodal Loads and Supports
Certain loads and supports can be applied directly to
the nodes.
Nodal Loads:
• Must be applied to nodal named selections.
• Load directions depend on the orientation of the
node.

Each node has an associated local “nodal”

coordinate system. By default these systems are
aligned with the global Cartesian system but can be
reoriented into a local system for loading purposes.

It is with respect to these nodal coordinate systems

that the X, Y, Z components of FE loads are defined.

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 . . . Nodal Loads and Supports
To apply a nodal load, after choosing the type of load from the
“Direct FE” menu the load details allow choice of named
selection and magnitude.

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 . . . Nodal Loads and Supports
To change a nodal load direction the node’s
orientation must be changed using a local coordinate
system.
Choose “Nodal Orientation” from the Direct FE
menu:
• Pick the nodal named selection in the
details from a drop down list.
• Pick the coordinate system to reference
from a drop down list.

Note: a “Nodal Orientation”

branch will be placed in the
tree’s environment branch.

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 . . . Nodal Loads and Supports
Notes on nodal boundary conditions:
• FE Rotation applies only when surface or line
geometry is present (rotational DOF).
• Since Direct FE loads are often applied to
multiple nodes there is a control for how the
load is distributed.
• Divide Load by Nodes (default):
• Yes: divides the magnitude by the
number of nodes and applies equal
loads to each (F/Num to each node).
• No: applies the full load magnitude to
each node (F applied to each node).
• Using the example at right choosing “No” results
in a total load of (10 N * 12 Nodes = 120 N).

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 I. Load and Support Display
Two display options are available for boundary conditions:
• By default, boundary conditions are displayed using a color scheme relating
to the class of the condition such as loads, supports, displacements, etc.
(figure on left).
• Users can toggle on “Random Colors” to assign each boundary condition a
unique color (figure on right).

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 J. Solving the Model
To solve the model click on the “Solve” button on the Standard Toolbar.
• Two processors used if present (default).
• To set the number of processors use, “Tools > Solve Process Settings”.

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 K. Workshop 5.1
• Workshop 5.1 – Structural Analysis With Contact
• Goal:
– A five part assembly representing an impeller type pump is
analyzed with a 100N preload on the belt.

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 L. Results and Postprocessing
Numerous structural results are available:
• Directional and total deformation.
• Components, principal, or invariants of stresses and strains.
• Contact output.
• Reaction forces.
• More . . . .

In Mechanical, results may be requested before or after solving.

• If you solve a model then request results afterwards, click on the “Solve” button, and
the results will be retrieved (the results file is re-read).
• You can also right click the Solution branch or a new result item and “Evaluate All
Results”.

• A new solution is not required.

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 … Results and Postprocessing
Contour and vector plots are usually shown on the deformed geometry.
Use the Context Toolbar to change settings (note these controls are covered
in a later chapter).

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 … Results and Postprocessing
Results can be scoped to various geometry and FE entities as well as named
selections.

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 … Results and Postprocessing
The deformation of the model can be plotted:
• Total deformation is a scalar quantity:

U total  U x2  U y2  U z2

• The x, y, and z components of deformation can be

requested under “Directional”, in global or local coordinates.
• Vector plots of deformation are available (see below).

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 … Results and Postprocessing
Stresses and strains:
• Stresses and (elastic) strains have six components
(x, y, z, xy, yz, xz) while thermal strains have three components (x, y, z)
• For stresses and strains, components can be requested under “Normal” (x, y, z) and
“Shear” (xy, yz, xz). For thermal strains, (x, y, z) components are under “Thermal.”
• Principal stresses are always arranged such that s1 > s2 > s3
• Intensity is defined as the largest of the absolute values
– s1 - s2, s2 - s3 or s3 - s1

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 … Results and Postprocessing
Stress Tool:
Calculates safety factors based on several material
failure theories (4):
• Ductile Theories:
– Maximum Equivalent Stress
– Maximum Shear Stress
• Brittle Theories:
– Mohr-Coulomb Stress
– Maximum Tensile Stress
• Safety factor, safety margin and stress ratio can be
plotted.
• User specified failure criteria can be entered.

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 … Results and Postprocessing
Contact results are requested via a “Contact Tool” under the Solution branch.

Contact regions can be selected in the

graphics window or using a Worksheet.

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 . . . Results and Postprocessing
In addition to the standard result items one can insert “user defined” results.
These results can include mathematical expressions and can be combinations of
multiple result items.
Define in 2 ways:
• Select “User Defined Result” from the solution context menu

• OR - From the Solution Worksheet highlight result > RMB > Create User Defined Result.

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 . . . Results and Postprocessing
Details allow an expression using various basic math
operations as well as square root, absolute value,
exponent, etc..
User defined results can be labeled with a user
“Identifier”.
Result legend contains identifier and expression.

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 . . . Results and Postprocessing
Reaction forces at constraints or contacts can be
obtained using a “Reaction Probe”.
Probes can be inserted manually (like other results)
or constraints/contacts can be drag and dropped
onto the Solution branch as a shortcut.

Drag and Drop

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 M. Workshop 5.2
Workshop 5.2 – Using Beam Connections
In the flange model shown we will use Mechanical’s beam connection feature to simulate
bolted fasteners in the model.

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